Here’s a round-up of the what’s caught our eye in the news this week.
NHS Covid contact-tracing app has only sent one alert about virus outbreak in a hospitality venue
The NHS COVID-19 track and trace app for England and Wales, which is now law for hospitality venues to use, has only sent one alert about an outbreak since its launch two weeks ago, a Sky News exclusive has revealed.
According to the report, the app, which has been downloaded 16 million times and used for millions of check-ins at venues around the country, has only sent out a total of four alerts to users about a risk of infection, three of which expired before the app was launched nationwide.
Rules prohibiting payment at the bar change
Rules prohibiting payment at the bar have been changed after calls from the British Institute of Innkeeping and other organisations. The government guidance now says: “Payment should be taken at the table wherever possible, but may be taken at a bar or counter if safety measures are in place.”
Click here for the updated guidance
We love: Alchemist offering free cocktails for food bank donations
The Alchemist has teamed up with Grey Goose and social enterprise Foodinate to offer a free cocktail in exchange for food donations at its two bars in Leeds.
Top chefs back calls for a Minister For Hospitality
Chefs Paul Ainsworth, Angela Hartnett and Marcus Wareing are supporting a campaign urging government to create a minister for hospitality. They believe the sector should have the same representation in Parliament as the arts and sports. Supporters are being urged to sign an online petition.